The news waits for no one -- at least that's what we read somewhere -- so it's perfectly understandable that you, the reader, might have missed out on a musical tidbit, breaking news about your favorite venue, or one of our rants.
So enjoy this digest-style sampling of some of our biggest stories from the week of October 15-19.
Heads-Up: Maynard's Column is Moving to Wednesday
By now you've probably grown accustomed to starting every other week with a dispatch from "Chicken Little" himself, Maynard James Keenan. Up on the Sun is proud to feature Keenan's column twice a month, and you folks have responded in a big way to the the winemaker/multimedia artist/musician/actor's musings.
As of Wednesday, October 24, the column will be moving from Monday to Wednesday here on the blog, to correspond with the print edition of Phoenix New Times, which hits stands on Thursdays (Wednesday night if you know where to look). You can can find Keenan's column printed every other week. It should make for an interesting midweek bump, right?
In the meantime, check out what Maynard James Keenan has been up to so far on Up on the Sun.
--Jason P. Woodbury
Seven Best Dance Nights in Greater Phoenix: Best of Phoenix 2012
There's no better way to shake off the week and let loose than getting your dance on. Whether it's country, hip-hop, dub step, or something else that get's your feet moving, we've got you covered. Here are 2012's six best dance nights in Phoenix.
--New Times Staff
Perfume Genius on Connecting With Gay Teens: "The Idea That I Can do That is Super Awesome"
One man band basement recordings continue to grow in popularity. Due to its minimalist approach, songwriting is key. Perfume Genius, the moniker of Mike Hadreas records songs about homophobia, pedophilia, and suicide that are strangely warm and therapeutic.
We caught up with Hadreas to discuss having a video pulled from YouTube, writing songs to connect with struggling gay youths, and how he has overcome his stage fright over the last few years.
--Melissa Fossum
Lauryn Hill, Gaza, Moombahton Massive Phoenix, and More Just Announced Shows
Lauryn Hill may be making headlines as a tax evader, but forget all that for a second and focus on one thing: her voice. She's nothing if not accomplished. She won Grammy Awards back-to-back, for her solo debut and as the co-producer of Carlos Santana's Supernatural. She acted as 1/3 of the legendary, always-cherished Fugees. And then she walked away -- shunning the music industry almost entirely. Yet, each time she emerges, that voice and incendiary talent still captivates.
So, you're going to want to check her out when she hits Celebrity Theatre on Wednesday. November 28.
See the full list of recently-announced local shows.
--Richard Noel
The New Die Antwoord Video Probably Isn't Racist You Guys. Probably. (NSFW)
Stereogum, you've got it all wrong. The new Die Antwoord video, "Fatty Boom Boom" isn't blackface. Sure, Yo-Landi Vi$$er is covered head to toe in some black grease get-up, but I seriously doubt she's doing it to poke fun at darker -skinned folks. She looks kind of like a panther and has cat eyes (although on closer inspection, those are dollar signs in her yellow peepers) or maybe she's supposed to be a candy bar in that dress.
OK, maybe this is totally racist, but then doesn't Vi$$er don a face full of white makeup in the very next scene? So isn't that technically "whiteface" or whatever? And I guess that makes Ninja's futball thing redface. I think that evens things out. There are plenty more things to be offended about in this video.
--Troy Farah
